Adaptive ADC/DAC Resolution Switching for Wireless Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced wireless networks, such as 5G and mmW, increase power consumption in wireless devices due to complex hardware and processes, leading to excessive battery drain, particularly in detecting and transmitting signals in areas with limited coverage or no network deployment.
Innovation Solution
Wireless devices utilize low resolution ADC/DAC processes until an event occurs, then switch to high resolution for subsequent communications, minimizing power consumption by optimizing resolution based on communication needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high resolution ADC/DAC process is used for all wireless communications, then communication quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ADC/DAC resolution adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically switches between low resolution and high resolution modes based on communication requirements. Specifically, the wireless device uses low resolution ADC/DAC for initial communications (such as receiving synchronization signals or transmitting random access signals) and switches to high resolution ADC/DAC for subsequent communications when better signal quality is needed, thereby adapting the resolution to the actual communication state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of the ADC/DAC converter based on communication needs. The system monitors communication conditions and adjusts the ADC/DAC resolution parameter accordingly - using lower resolution (fewer bits) when basic communication is sufficient and switching to higher resolution (more bits) when improved communication quality is required, thus optimizing the trade-off between power consumption and communication quality
2Productivity
If advanced network components and processes are deployed, then network performance is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using high resolution ADC/DAC only when necessary rather than continuously. The system employs low resolution ADC/DAC for basic communication functions and switches to high resolution only for specific communications that require better quality, thus avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from continuously using high resolution processing for all communications
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A wireless device, such as a base station and/or a user equipment (UE), may select a first resolution for a first analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog conversion process associated with a first wireless communication. The wireless device may determine that the first wireless communication is performed according to the first resolution. The wireless device may select, based at least in part on the determining, a second resolution for a second analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog conversion process associated with a second wireless communication, the first resolution being a lower resolution than the second resolution.